Supreme Court Bihar SIR Hearing August 12
Supreme Court Urges “En Masse Inclusion” as Bihar Electoral Roll Revision Sparks Debate
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New delhi: Teh Supreme Court has urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to prioritize “en masse inclusion” of voters rather than “en masse exclusion” as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise for Bihar’s electoral rolls continues to be a subject of discussion. The apex court’s stance comes amidst concerns raised by RJD MP Manoj Jha regarding the clarity of the process, particularly concerning the 65 lakh individuals whose names are reportedly being removed.
Key Developments in the Bihar Electoral roll Revision
The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise for Bihar, initiated by the ECI on June 24, 2025, under section 21(3) of the Representation of People Act, 1950, has garnered meaningful attention.The process aims to update the state’s electoral rolls, but questions have been raised about the methodology and potential impact on voter inclusion.
During a recent hearing, Justice Kant of the Supreme Court highlighted the importance of transparency, stating, “if they mention the names in draft list, we have no problem.” He further added, “If draft list is conspicuously silent, you will bring to our notice.” This statement underscores the court’s expectation that the ECI will provide clear details regarding any deletions from the voter list.
Senior Advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, representing the ECI, clarified that the established procedure allows for the filing of objections to the draft list, providing a mechanism for addressing concerns.
Court’s Suggestions for Enhanced Accuracy
In a significant progress, the Supreme Court previously suggested that the ECI consider Aadhaar cards and EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card) cards when revising electoral rolls.The court noted the “presumption of correctness” associated with these documents,implying their potential to enhance the accuracy and reliability of the voter list. This suggestion aims to streamline the verification process and ensure that eligible voters are not inadvertently excluded.
ECI to Release Draft Rolls Amidst SC Scrutiny
The Election commission of India is scheduled to release Bihar’s draft electoral rolls on August 1.While a request was made to halt the release of this draft list,the Supreme Court declined the prayer. the court reasoned that the list is merely a draft and that any illegality found later could lead to the entire process being quashed.
However, Justice Kant emphasized the ECI’s obligation to ensure a fair and inclusive revision process.The court’s directive for “en masse inclusion” signals a strong commitment to preventing the disenfranchisement of eligible voters.
The matter is currently listed for fixing a future hearing date, indicating that the Supreme Court will continue to monitor the progress and fairness of the Bihar electoral roll revision.
case Title: ASSOCIATION FOR DEMOCRATIC REFORMS AND ORS. Versus ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA, W.P.(C) No. 640/2025 (and connected cases)